Singapore Airlines introduces advanced in-flight entertainment system on its new Boeing 777-300ERs flights

2013-07-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — Customers will soon be able to experience the next generation KrisWorld, the world’s most advanced in-flight entertainment system to date, on new Boeing 777-300ERs entering Singapore Airlines’ fleet in the coming months.

The new KrisWorld, based on a Panasonic Avionics hardware platform, will initially be available on eight new B777-300ERs that will begin to enter service from September. It will also be introduced on new Airbus A350s scheduled for delivery in the coming years, in line with the terms of an agreement valued at nearly US$400 million that was signed with Panasonic Avionics in 2012. Existing KrisWorld systems on other aircraft already in service may also be retrofitted with the new system.

“We are constantly looking to improve the in-flight entertainment experience for our customers. Last year, we introduced Internet and mobile data connectivity services, and with this next generation KrisWorld, customers can expect advanced hardware, an innovative yet intuitive user interface, and a wide selection of thoughtfully curated content to suit our customers’ preferences and prevailing trends,” said SIA’s Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Tan Pee Teck.

Singapore Airlines agreed last year to be the launch customer for Panasonic Avionics’ next-generation eX3 system for the A350s, as well as the first to offer the eX3 experience on the B777-300ERs. The Airline will also be the first to offer Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite on the A350s, with the capability to provide broadband Internet services to passenger devices and the seat-back, as well as mobile phone services.

The new KrisWorld features larger LCD screens and video touch-screen handsets across all classes. LCD screens will increase from 23 to 24 inches in First Class, 15.4 to 18 inches in Business Class and 10.6 to 11.1 inches in Economy Class. Economy Class customers will also be able to browse through the more than 1,000 on-demand entertainment options by swiping or scrolling through the touch-screen monitor.

Working with renowned design company Massive Interactive, Singapore Airlines has seamlessly integrated the functionality of the video touch-screen handset into the core design of a new, innovative KrisWorld user interface to ensure that navigating through menus and programmes is intuitive and user-friendly. Customers will be able to multi-task among the varied entertainment options available. For example, they may watch a movie, while at the same time use the handset to keep up to date with the latest news headlines or track the aircraft’s flight path. Alternatively, customers may use the handset as a touchscreen trackpad to navigate KrisWorld. New features such as  “Quick Search”, where a flick of the handset pulls up a playlist of entertainment choices, are also being introduced.

Leveraging on technology, a number of thoughtful features are being incorporated into KrisWorld with customers’ convenience in mind. For example, the Notification Centre on the KrisWorld dashboard contains information relevant to the flight, reducing the number of onboard announcements, thereby allowing customers to watch movies uninterrupted.

Customers will also experience greater personalisation, with KrisWorld providing content recommendations based on passengers’ preferences. They may also rate movies and see how others have rated these.

The next-generation KrisWorld complements the Airline’s In-Flight Connectivity service. Twenty-one aircraft have been equipped to date [1] and the service will be rolled out to the rest of the Airline’s Airbus A380-800 and B777-300ER aircraft by the end of next year.

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Annex A
The New KrisWorld

Key Features First Class Business Class Economy Class
IFE screen size 61 centimetres 24 inches 46 centimetres  18 inches 28 centimetres  11.1 inches
Touch-screen handset Available across all three classes
Ports HDMI, USB & eXPort HDMI, USB & eXPort  USB & eXPort
In-seat power supply Available across all three classes
Headphones Bose Quiet Comfort QC15noise-cancellation headphones Phitek Supra Auranoise-cancellation headphones Standard headphones
Entertainment – movies, TV, music, radio channels More than 230 movies, over 340 TV programmes, 22 hosted radio programmes and more than 790 CDs.
Games In addition to more than 80 interactive games including high performance 3D games, popular touch-screen games are now available.
Applications New to KrisWorld:

  • Travel Forum: Introducing a social networking element to KrisWorld, customers can now share their travel experiences, tips and recommendations with fellow passengers.
  • DK Travel Guides: comprehensive guides to major cities in the world.
  • Live News: Customers can stay connected to the happenings on the ground with news from Channel NewsAsia
  • Flight Path iXplor 2: Improved flight path information  allowing customers to view key points of interests, for example, the Taj Mahal, when they are flying over it.

[1] Inflight connectivity service on the 21 aircraft is provided by OnAir. For the new B777-300ERs entering the fleet over the next two years, the service will be provided by Panasonic Avionics.

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